Now, the night before their wedding, Sofia was trying to quiet a storm inside her chest.
Family and close friends had gathered for the traditional blessing dinner at her grandmother Nina’s house. The food had been warm and familiar, and the laughter easy.
But Grandma Nina, normally the first to pour wine and fuss over guests, had been uncharacteristically silent all evening.
She had been that way for weeks, always watching Ethan oddly.
Even then, she watched him across the table with an expression Sofia couldn’t name.
It wasn’t suspicion exactly, or warmth. It was something closer to recognition — and fear.
After dessert, while most of the guests moved to the living room, Grandma Nina pulled Sofia aside with surprising strength into the hallway.
Her grip was gentle but firm as she clasped Sofia’s wrist.
“Come here, baby. Just a second.”
Sofia followed without hesitation. Grandma Nina had raised her for most of her teenage years after her father passed.
